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After a dominant regular season the Long Beach City College women’s volleyball team feels prepared for any situation.
Not even lineup shuffles and big early deficits could slow the Vikings down as they defeated Bakersfield College 25-21, 25-9, 26-24 in the second round of the CCCAA Southern California Regionals on Tuesday.
LBCC (22-1) has won eight consecutive matches without dropping a set, and the South Coast Conference champions now advance to the third round of regionals on Saturday.
The Vikings got off to a slow start at home and the Renegades jumped out to a 9-5 lead in the first set. LBCC rallied with a 7-1 run thanks to four kills by Tainea Allen which cut Bakersfield’s lead to 10-9. Alanna Jones chipped in a couple kills as the Vikings took a 12-10 lead.
“Our starting middle (blocker) actually had an allergic reaction, so she wasn’t (in the game),” LBCC coach Tyler Jackson said. “So (we) were dealing with a lot. I think that’s why we started off slowing that first set.”
The Vikings shook off the Renegades for a 25-21 win after Ryannah Gagau hammered home the set point.
“It just took us a little while to find the chemistry between each other,” Gagau said of the early jitters. “But, it was great.”
LBCC showed off their depth in the second set as they stormed out to a 12-0 lead before Bakersfield scored their first point. Jubilee Allen, Gagau and Tyreana Allen all chipped in as the Vikings took a dominating 25-9 victory.
The Renegades didn’t let the 2-0 deficit impact them as they turned to their All-American Stevie Yursik who was able to get past the Vikings’ blockers as Bakersfield took a 15-5 lead forcing a LBCC timeout.
Jones started the Vikings comeback with a block and her seventh kill of the night to cut the lead to 17-11.
Enaya Vaielua chipped in as LBCC mounted the comeback to tie the match at 19 before the Vikings pulled away to win the third set 26-24.
The Vikings will be at home again on Saturday when they host Palomar. They are one win away from State Championships at Mt. SAC on Dec. 6.
